– Alexandra Bracken, YA author of BRIGHTLY WOVEN and the upcoming 2013 novel BLACK IS THE COLOR sheds some light on how publisher lists work – including how and why books are scheduled for different seasons. Very informative!

– We’re pretty sure you’ve all heard by now that Jennifer Lawrence has been cast as Katniss for THE HUNGER GAMES movies (which all of us are THRILLED about!). But did you see the statement from Suzanne Collins over the casting of Lawrence? Cause it’s pretty awesome!

Hey all! It’s been a month since the last Saturday Grab Bag (can you believe it?), but it feels good to be putting them together again. I just wanted to include a quick little note saying thanks to everyone for all the wonderful congratulatory comments while I was away getting hitched – and that it feels GREAT to be back!

– Vanessa Di Gregorio (Campbell!)

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Mashup:

Here are some great links on writing, the industry, and all things book related. Some are serious, and some are just downright hilarious. We highly recommend you read them!

– Warning: you will laugh hysterically. And you will laugh out loud. If there is one link you should click and read in this entire post, it is this one. And then you will know exactly how to get agents to fall over their feet to sign you.

– Okay okay. Time to get serious here, folks. You’ve probably already heard about this, but for those who haven’t, get ready to be appalled. Frey’s controversial publishing company, Full Fathom Five, is hiring authors – and taking advantage of them.

– This was a special request from one of our readers in the UK. I Value The Arts is an online petition against the cutting of funding for the arts in the UK. So if you’re interested in joining the cause to protect the arts, you can register and show your support on this site.

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Quotes:

“Sure, it’s simple, writing for kids… Just as simple as bringing them up.”

— Ursula K. LeGuin

“This manuscript of yours that has just come back from another editor is a precious package. Don’t consider it rejected. Consider that you’ve addressed it ‘to the editor who can appreciate my work’ and it has simply come back stamped ‘Not at this address’. Just keep looking for the right address.”

– Here is another article about kids lit vs. adult lit. But this one is more about the lack of respect kids lit gets – how writers of kids lit aren’t respected as much, or thought highly of – and why people who look down on kids lit book and authors are wrong to do so. Loved this article.

– We also love book covers. Coverspy is a tumblr of – you guessed it! – book covers. It’s a visual feast for your eyes!

Notes from the Twittersphere:

Don’t put the first paragraph of your query in the subject of your email.
– @WolfsonLiterary

Don’t send pages from the middle of the book. The BEGINNING needs to grab me.
– @WolfsonLiterary

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Quotes:

“Some readers have found children’s literature to be a rack of hats: didactic, useful books that keep us warm or guard us against weather. I find children’s literature to be a world of snakes: seductive things that live in undergrowths and that may take us whole.”

— Seth Lerer, Children’s Literature: A Reader’s History from Aesop to Harry Potter

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What We’re Reading:

Vanessa:The Healing Wars Book 2: Blue Fire by Janice Hardy

Sammy:Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Sarah:Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld

Savannah: The Witching Hour by Anne Rice

Julie:Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis

Susan: Travels With My Aunt by Graham Greene

Mandy: Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl

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If you’ve come across any great links/quotes, share them in the comments! And let us know what you’re reading, too! 😀